NYCHA raced to perform lead inspections in many of its buildings Monday, just a few weeks after a groundbreaking report revealed the authority had been neglecting such duties for years.

As News 12 has reported, the city Department of Investigation found that NYCHA was breaking the law by skipping lead-paint checkups in public housing units.

To make up for so much lost ground, NYCHA hustled to inspect the homes of tenants who have children younger than 6 years old and live in apartments with presumed lead paint. During the crunch, officials say the agency could exercise its "right to enter."

Under the rule, NYCHA agents can remove and replace door locks if the tenant is not home during a scheduled visit. NYCHA says tenants are given multiple prior notices about their date of inspection.

NYCHA says removing a lock is normal procedure if the NYCHA worker's spare key doesn't work.